China Maritime Forum takes place in Ningbo

The 2017 China Maritime Forum is held in Ningbo, Zhejiang province from July 10 to 12. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

The 2017 China Maritime Forum, focusing on the international exchanges and cooperation among the countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, kicked off on July 10 in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

Divided into one main forum and eight parallel sessions with different themes, the three-day event is an important part of the Maritime Day of China, which falls on July 11 every year.

The main forum on the second day of the event invited guests from different government agencies and companies -- including China's Ministry of Transport (MOT), Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), State Oceanic Administration, and China Merchants Group -- to deliver speeches and exchange with attendees regarding maritime development.

Speakers outlined their expectations from various perspectives.

He Jianzhong, vice minister of MOT, stressed the importance of developing sea transportation. He said, "Along with infrastructure construction, serving the Belt and Road Initiative also requires the improvement of sea transportation systems, policies, and standards."

The secretary general of the Expert Committee for Telecommunication Economy of MIIT Chen Jinqiao focused on the application of the digital economy in his speech. Chen believes high-end technologies are indispensable for shipping development. "When developing the shipping industry, big data and artificial intelligence should be considered," Chen said.

During the three days, people were offered the chance to learn more about sea culture. To attract the public's attention, the organizing team arranged assorted activities like writing competitions, lectures, and displays of naval vessels for them.

Maritime Day is a national activity day approved by the State Council in 2005 in honor of Zheng He's first long-distance voyage. It is hailed the most comprehensive and typical maritime celebration in China. Since 2015, the major maritime forum has come to Ningbo, a coastal city in East China's Zhejiang province for the third time.

Some navy sailors attend the main forum of the 2017 China Maritime Forum in Ningbo on July 11. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]